Court extends property restrictions on priest accused of child sex crimes

Vilnius Regional Court has extended restrictions on the property of priest Tadas Švedavičius, who is charged with sexual crimes against children, LRT reported.

The restrictions cover an apartment in Vilnius, two plots of land in Širvintos district and other assets. They were due to expire on August 26, but Judge Audrius Cininas extended them for another six months.

There are 11 alleged victims in the case, while six civil claims have been filed seeking compensation. The amounts range from several hundred euros to more than 200,000 euros.

Gintaras Grušas, the metropolitan archbishop of Vilnius, has said that Švedavičius promised to compensate the alleged victims.

Švedavičius faces charges of sexually assaulting boys, exploiting a child for pornography, involving a child in drinking, molesting people under the age of 16, satisfying sexual desire in violation of a minor’s sexual self-determination and possessing pornographic material depicting children.

He has been placed under preventive measures requiring him to remain in Lithuania and surrender his documents.

According to law enforcement authorities, 34 criminal episodes have been recorded. The alleged offences took place over 23 years, from 2002 to 2025.

The case has been transferred to Vilnius Regional Court for trial, but the date of the first hearing has not yet been set.